Voices of Mexico no. 86

Our Voice

The global economic crisis has affected the three countries of North America differently: unemployment in Mexico is estimated at 6.3 percent; in the United States, 9.5 percent; and in Canada, 8.4 percent. But the gravity of the overall problems Mexicans face points to increasing asymmetry in relations with our trade partners.

This becomes clear if we note that, in addition to the indicators on violence, growing poverty and exclusion, the country has to deal with errors in political leadership, a fiscal reform for 2010 that threatens to be unpopular and low confidence levels among consumers. The immediate consequences of all this is uncertainty among the population, with pessimism prevailing in society.

Plagued by a myriad of contradictions, Mexico's political actors, beginning with President Calderón himself and followed by members of Congress and the political parties, show signs of continuing to concentrate on a short-term vision.

In this context, the scenario of a country where the figure of citizen has not yet con- solidated as the center of the democratic regimen is dramatic. This can be seen in the gap between the citizenry and its representatives.